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theodp writes "SIMsystem have created the world's first electric underpants that let you know that you've got issues by texting. Incontinence issues, to be more precise. The new-and-improved skivvies come equipped with a sensor strip that alerts caregivers to wetness via text message. From the technology summary: 'The SIMbox, when fitted into the individual resident's stretchpants (SIMpants), transmits sensor readings from the SIMstrip in the SIMpad® over a wireless network to the SIMserver. The SIMsystemManager software running on the SIMserver then detects key information about continence events and determines when to alert care staff about an event requiring attention.' So, who's going to start an open source project?"

In which you'll be able to turn the flowers on and off or make it play a sound for a particular event but not be able to change the color, shape, or size of the monitoring lights because "those utilities are broken if they allow those features".

At which point you'll unsolder the lights and install your own set of open-source lights that aloow you to customize them any way you want.

Nice. Two of you linked (one quoting) a FAQ I have already read entirely, about seven years ago.

I actually like that Slashdot has a clear stance on its US-centric-ism, and even though I (obviously) am not a US Citizen enjoy the US Political News I get from the site - it really is my primary source of what's happening in the US because it focuses on the US issues that matter the most to me, half a world away.
The existence of Timezone differences are - to me - an entirely different thing, and it's very unf

I know most will understandably make jokes about this. However, this can be a real issue in nursing homes and hospitals. Many patients are incapable of communicating. Manual checking is time consuming and invasive. And from a health standpoint, you need to change someone as soon as possible. Even if you manually check every two hours, do you want your patient sitting in the mess that long? And as anyone who has manned a help desk knows... no matter how good of a job you do, there will be someone to complain that you didn't.

So while funny on the surface, this is a real winner of a product idea.

My fear is that items like this could cause a decline in the quality of care people get in nursing facilities. If nurses can effectively ignore you for hours until your "change me" alarm goes off, many of them will.

Yes. You have a valid concern. However, in any upper level management meeting I have, I always stress items like this. Folks think technology solves every problem, but it is only a tool to be used by effective management.

When you have ineffective management, it is best to keep the technology tools aways from them. Tools shouldn't use tools.

But isn't ineffective management precisely the group of people most likely to see technology as a solution to a people problem? It's ineffective management that is bound to implement things like this instead of developing better hiring practices, staff development and incentives, and other non-tech methods of increasing the quality (and job satisfaction) of their staff, thereby increasing quality of care.

I disagree. If I managed a nursing home , I would institute manditory two hour checks for non-communicative patients. If there were an alert from one of the systems (underpants being one of them), it would get a higher priority. In that way I am making the most of both systems.

I would then compile the numbers to make sure our goals are being met. Next step is to publish those numbers to help reassure the folks paying the bills and prospective clients.

It is quite feasible that patients might realise this and pee a little bit when they are feeling lonely, and in so doing make urine and electronic pants a means of communication. A bit like morse code only with a lower bandwidth.

I'd be willing to bet that these patients also have a call button as well. Currently they could push the button and claim to need to be changed. I've met a couple of nurses who have mentioned some "challenging" patients like this.

My father-in-law stayed with us for about a year and this definitely would have helped us out a few times. Some days he was fine, but other days he would soak through his clothes (and to the furniture) and not even notice.

Of course the whole electronic underpants and wetness brings to mind the sad demise of a woman on our block several years ago. She suffered from dementia and was left unattended in her room. In her confused state she decided to use a hassock fan in her room as a toilet and electrocuted

But texting? My goodness, talk about over-engineering a problem! Why go through all that when you can just use an indicator light?

Hmmm... I think I have a new electronics project. As a new father, an easy way to see if a diaper is wet would be very handy. Just slip the sensor in and clip the light somewhere.

You can receive notification from anywhere, even if you're not in the room. I don't know where you plan on putting this light, is there a wire running from it? It could get broken more easily.
I think the point is that the SMS is more convenient and robust. Or at least that's my take.

I’m sorry, and many delusionals will hate me for this, but if they can’t even communicate anymore, because they are so delirious... then why are they still artificially kept alive?I know that I wouldn’t want to “live” that way... if it sill can be called life...

Imagine it. You can’t talk. You pee and shit yourself. You sit there all day long with nothing to do. (What can you do in that state?) You get crappy canteen “food”... and you have to endure the endless

[accident happens at party]
* Damn, I need an excuse to go deal with this before anyone notices
* Pants send SMS to user
* Looks at phone. "Sorry guys, I've got to deal with this." - heads away looking like an important person whi is on-call rather than an incontinent person who has just paid an unintended call.

Open source? isn't the whole problem that the source is too open as it is? Wait... the source of what?
I really feel like an incurable layman and outsider when people say things like: "we've electrified underpants, but only for when there's moisture."
and finally, wouldn't a better invention be a use for incontinent elderly folks?
Ok, I've had my fun, you may return to the matter at hand.

if your electronic underwear won't sync with the server check your IP settings. Then make sure the portscanner is working. In the event of a total failure feel free to use the finger utility. Just be sure to zip up after you're done.

No they did not invent electric underpants. Electronic underpants that send an alarm when wet are as old as electricity. They have merely made the embarrassment more private by sending a text or e-mail rather than an audible alarm!